Improvement in canvas-stretchers



H. W. HOLLY. .Canvas-Stetch-ers.

Patented August 26, 1873J UNITED STATES FICE.

HENRY HOLLY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CANVAS-STRETCHERS.

Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. 142,23, dated August 26, 1873 application filed January 15, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, HENRY W. HOLLY, of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Artists Stretchers, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to stretchers or stretcher-frames used by artists for stretching and holding the canvas on which a picture is to be made. These stretchers are usually composed of a sectional frame mitered at the ends of the sides or pieces composing said frame, with provision for adjustment of said sides to produce more or less stretch on the canvas to any given or iixed extent, which does not provide for variations in the weather and other conditions affecting the stretch of the canvas. This defect, however, to a limited extent has been obviated by means of a right-angular tenon or rib applied on one side of a plate and y adapted to operate in conjunction with sprin gs applied in lnortisesin the frame. But each of such constructions employ but a single, and that a sectionally constructed or4 expanding and contracting, frame, which fails to provide for the insertion and steady hold within it of a rigid back or board, as frequently required by artists when making a picture. s

My lnvention consists in a combination of stretch ofthe canvas, but the inner frame, be-

ing an unbroken one-that is, not subject to expansion and contraction by alterations in the stretch of the canvas-admits of the close( t of a board or back within it and steady retention of the same during all adjustments of the outer frame. i

In the accompanying drawing which forms part of this specification, Figure l represents a rear view of an artistsy stretcher, constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 a transverse section of the same on the lin waz Y frame.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the unbroken inner frame, andB B the side or pieces composing the lsectional or expandin g and contracting outer frame, the break in which is at its angles or corners, and

the sides or pieces composing which are connected with the inner frame by dowels b, arranged to loosely or freely lit apertures c in the inner frame. These apertures have springs d within them, arranged to press outward against the inner ends of the dowels, whereby the outer frame is made self-adjustable to suit variations in the stretch of the canvas or to keep it constantly stretched under all circumstances, while the inner frame gives a receiving space of fixed dimensions for the introduction of a back when required. O is the canvas, secured at its edges to the outer The dowels b, in addition to forming bearing surfaces for the springs d, also act as guides to direct the sides or pieces B B, so as to secureequal action of them on the canvas throughout their length.

I do not restrict my invention, however, to the use of the dowels, nor yet to any particular form or number of springs, which may be variously interposed between the two frames.

When putting the canvas onto the outer frame the sectional sidesof the latter may be temporarily drawn and held inward by means of staples driven, respectively, as regards their two legs, into said sides and inner frame at the back of the stretcher. On removing these staples the sides of the outer frame spring outward and stretch the canvas.

What is here claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1 The combination of a rigid or unbroken inner frame with a sectional or expanding and contracting outer frame and springs inter posed between the two frames, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. The combination of the dowels b and springs d with the rigid or unbroken inner frame A and sectionally vconstructed outer1 frame B B, essentially as herein described.

HENRY W. HOLLY.

Witnesses: et

MICHAEL RYAN, Fano. HAYNES. 

